Aeration control valve system for water treatment system and methods for using same

ABSTRACT

An aeration control valve system may be used with a water treatment system to control aeration and flow of water in accordance with various operating cycles. The aeration control valve system causes air to be pumped or drawn into the water treatment system during an air charge cycle to provide an air charge for aerating the water to facilitate water treatment. The aeration control valve system releases the air during an air release cycle without requiring a backwash cycle. In one embodiment, the aeration control valve system includes a control valve unit configured for connection to a brine tank but instead fluidly coupled to an air intake inlet and an air release outlet for supplying and releasing air, respectively, when the valve cycle actuator is in the brine position and brine tank fill position, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/051,176 filed Oct. 10, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,290,397.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to water treatment systems and moreparticularly, to an aeration control valve system for controlling waterflow through and aeration in a water treatment system.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Water treatment systems are commonly used in water supply systems. In aresidential water supply system, for example, water softeners, acidneutralizers, iron/manganese removal systems, arsenic removal systems,and aeration systems may be used to filter or treat the water beingsupplied from a water source (e.g., from a well or city water supply).To facilitate the removal of contaminants, such as iron, manganese, andsulfur, some water treatment systems aerate the water to provideoxidation prior to the filtering. In such systems, a head of air may bemaintained at the top of a water treatment tank such that the waterprovided to the tank passes through the head of air before passingthrough filter media.

Some existing water treatment systems include a control valve (e.g.,connected to the top of the tank) to control the water passing in to andout of the system according to water treatment operating cycles. Toprovide the head of air in an existing water treatment system that usesaeration, the control valve may perform an air charge cycle by directingwater through a venturi coupled to an air inlet such that the venturidraws air into the top of the filter tank. During a service cycle, thecontrol valve directs the water to flow through the trapped air in thetank, through filter media in the tank, and then to a service watersystem (e.g., a residential water system). The old compressed air in thetank may be released or discharged when the control cycle opens a drainline during a backwash cycle.

The use of these existing water treatment systems providing aerationpresents several drawbacks. One such drawback is the noise and rattlingof the drain line when the compressed air charge is released suddenlyduring the backwash cycle. If the drain line is not properly secured,this may also cause unwanted splashing, breaks and/or flooding. Therapid air escape may also cause the filter media to jump verticallyinside the filter tank, causing it to be lost through the drain line andpossibly causing plugging of the drain and flooding. To avoid this,existing systems often use less filter media and approximately 25% ofthe filter bed depth may be lost, requiring more frequent airregenerations, wasted water and wasted electricity. Using a larger tankresults in more water going to drain during an air charge cycle and anincreased cost of the filter media.

A further drawback of the existing systems providing aeration is theneed for a backwash cycle before an air charge cycle to provide a newcharge of air. These existing systems may not be recharged with airwhile remaining in service and the additional backwash cycles wastewater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages will be better understood byreading the following detailed description, taken together with thedrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water treatment system including anaeration control valve system, consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the water treatment system in FIG. 1illustrating flow through the aeration control valve system during aservice cycle.

FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the water treatment system in FIG. 1illustrating flow through the aeration control valve system during anair release cycle.

FIG. 2C is a schematic view of the water treatment system in FIG. 1illustrating flow through the aeration control valve system during abackwash cycle.

FIG. 2D is a schematic view of the water treatment system in FIG. 1illustrating flow through the aeration control valve system during anair charge cycle.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of one embodiment of anaeration control valve during an air release cycle and an air chargecycle, respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of anaeration control valve during an air release cycle and an air chargecycle, respectively.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a further embodiment of anaeration control valve during an air release cycle and an air chargecycle, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An aeration control valve system, consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention, may be used with a water treatment system to controlaeration and flow of water in accordance with various operating cycles.The aeration control valve system causes air to be pumped or drawn intothe water treatment system during an air charge or draw cycle to providean air charge for aerating the water to facilitate water treatment. Theaeration control valve system releases the air during an air releasecycle without requiring a backwash cycle. In one embodiment, theaeration control valve system includes a control valve unit configuredfor connection to a brine tank but instead fluidly coupled to an airintake inlet and an air release outlet for supplying and releasing air,respectively, when the valve actuator is in the brine position and brinetank fill position, respectively.

As used herein, “fluid connection” refers to a connection betweenelements that allows fluid to flow between the elements and “fluidlycouple” refers to coupling elements in a manner that allows a fluidconnection between the elements. The terms “couple” and “connection” arenot limited to a direct mechanical connection and may include anindirect mechanical connection that is made through other components orstructures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a water treatment system 100, consistent with anembodiment, includes an aeration control valve 110 fluidly coupled to awater treatment tank 114 and various inlets and outlets. The aerationcontrol valve 110 controls the flow of air and water in to and out ofthe water treatment tank 114. The air may be pumped or drawn into thetank 114 during an air charge cycle and released or discharged during anair discharge cycle without requiring a backwash. The water treatmenttank 114 may contain an air charge 115, aerated water 116 to be treated,and filter media 117 for filtering the aerated water 116. To providewater treatment, the water treatment system 100 directs water from asupply line 102 through the water treatment tank 114 to a delivery line104. The supply line 102 may supply water from a water source such as awell or city water supply. The delivery line 104 may provide water to aservice water system in a building, such as a residential home. Thewater treatment system 100 may be coupled, for example, to a residentialwater supply system at the point of entry. The water treatment system100 may also be configured for use in a commercial water supply system.

The water treatment system 100 aerates the water 116 as it passesthrough the air charge 115 in the water treatment tank 114 and thenfilters the aerated water 116 as it passes through filter media 117. Inone example, iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide gas dissolved in thewater 116 is oxidized when exposed to the air charge 115 and becomes asolid precipitate that can be trapped in the filter media 117. Thefilter media 117 includes any type of filter media capable of trappingthe contaminants to be removed. The aeration control valve 110 may beused with various types and configurations of water treatment systems.

The control valve 110 may include a supply water inlet passage 120, aservice water outlet passage 121, first and second tank passages 122,123, an air passage 124, and a drain outlet passage 125. The supplywater inlet passage 120 may be fluidly coupled to the supply line 102and the service water outlet passage 121 may be fluidly coupled to thedelivery line 104. The first and second tank passages 122, 123 arefluidly coupled to the water treatment tank 114 for passing water in toand out of the tank 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the second tankpassage 123 is fluidly coupled to a conduit 126 that extends into thefilter media 117 proximate the bottom region of the water treatment tank114. The drain outlet passage 125 may be coupled to a drain fordirecting water from the tank 114 to the drain.

An air intake inlet 130 is fluidly coupled to the air passage 124 forsupplying air into the tank 114, for example, using a pump to pump theair or a venturi to draw the air, as described in greater detail below.An air release outlet 132 is fluidly coupled to the air passage 124 forreleasing air from the tank 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the airrelease outlet 132 is also fluidly coupled to the drain outlet passage125 such that the air is released into the drain. An air intake checkvalve 134 is coupled to the air intake inlet 130 to allow air to besupplied to the air passage 124 without allowing released air to passout of the air intake inlet 130. The air intake check valve 134 may beconfigured to open under vacuum or with an atmospheric air pump, asdescribed below. An air release check valve 136 is coupled to the airrelease outlet 132 to allow air to be released from the air passage 124without allowing the released air to pass back into the air passage 124.The air release check valve 136 may be configured with a high tensionspring to assure a firm seal such that, when the air is pumped into theair passage 124, no air is pumped through the air release check valve136 to the air release outlet 132 and drain passage 125. Thus, airrelease and air intake may be provided through a single connection tothe air passage 124.

An air valve 128, 128 a controls the supply and/or release of air toand/or from the tank 114. An internal air valve 128, for example, may belocated within the control valve 110 and fluidly coupled to the airpassage 124. Alternatively, an external air valve 128 a may be locatedexternal to the control valve 110 and fluidly coupled to the air releaseoutlet 132. When the external air valve 128 a is used, the air releasecheck valve 136 may not be necessary.

The control valve 110 may also include a valve cycle actuator (notshown) that provides fluid connections between the passages 120-125based on different positions of the valve cycle actuator. The controlvalve 110 controls the flow of water and/or air between the passages120-125 and in to and out of the water treatment tank 114, for example,according to the various water treatment cycles or operations. In oneembodiment, for example, a control valve assembly may provide differentpositions (e.g., a service position, air release position, a backwashposition, and an air draw or charge position) allowing water and/or airto flow according to different water treatment cycles.

As will be described in greater detail below, the aeration control valve110 may be based on an existing control valve such as the Fleck 1500,Fleck 2510, Fleck 5600SXT, Fleck 5800SXT and Fleck ProFloSXT controlvalves available from Pentair, Inc. In one embodiment, an air pump (notshown in FIG. 1) coupled to the aeration control valve 110 may be anatmospheric air pump capable of providing air pressures in a range ofabout 0.1 to 25 psi. In another embodiment, the air pump coupled to theaeration control valve 110 may be a high pressure air pump capable ofproviding air pressures greater than about 25 psi. An aeration controlvalve system including a high pressure air pump may be capable ofproviding a service/air charge cycle in which the water treatment system100 provides an air charge in the water treatment tank 114 while alsotreating the water.

The control valve 110 may include user controls on a side thereof toallow the user to control valve functionality such as when certaintreatment cycles or operations occur (e.g., based on a time of day ornumber of days or number of gallons used). A controller 118 may also becoupled to the control valve 110 to control operation of the controlvalve 110 and initiation of the cycles of operation, for example,according to a programmed schedule. Other types of controls may also beprovided.

Examples of water treatment systems include, but are not limited to,water softeners, acid neutralizers, iron/manganese removal systems,arsenic removal systems, other contaminant removal systems, and aerationsystems. Water treatment systems may include tanks or other devices thatstore or allow water to pass through as part of a treatment process. Thewater treatment systems may also include redundant water treatment tanks(e.g., redundant arsenic removal systems) or may include different watertreatment tanks (e.g., an acid neutralizer and a water softener). Watertreatment systems may also include water heaters or other devices thatalter the temperature or other conditions of the water.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate water and/or air flow through the aerationcontrol valve 110 during different operating cycles of the watertreatment system 100. Although certain operating cycles are illustratedand described herein, the water treatment system 100 and the aerationcontrol valve 110 are not limited to these operating cycles and may beused with other operating cycles.

FIG. 2A illustrates a service cycle during which the water treatmentsystem 100 is “in service” treating water and directing the treatedwater to the service water system. During the service cycle in thisembodiment, the aeration control valve 110 directs untreated water fromthe supply water inlet passage 120 to the first tank passage 122 anddirects treated water from the second tank passage 123 to the servicewater outlet passage 121. The untreated water from the first tankpassage 122 may be directed to the top region of the tank 114 such thatthe water passes through the charge of air 115. The treated water may bedrawn from the bottom region of the tank (i.e., after passing throughthe filter media 117) through the conduit 126 coupled to the second tankpassage 123. The aeration control valve 110 (e.g., the air valve 128)may also substantially prevent air 115 from escaping from the tank 114during the service cycle, thereby maintaining the air charge foraeration during filtering.

FIG. 2B illustrates an air release cycle during which the watertreatment system 100 allows the release of air, for example, prior to anair charge cycle or prior to a backwash cycle. During the air releasecycle in this embodiment, the aeration control valve 110 directs air 115in the water treatment tank 114 through the air passage 124 and throughthe air release outlet 132 to the drain passage 125. In particular, theair valve 128, 128 a is actuated to allow the air to be released intothe air passage 124. The air may be released relatively slowly (e.g., ata rate of 0.5 CFM or less) to prevent a sudden depressurization. Byperforming an air release cycle prior to a backwash cycle, the releaseof air may be controlled to prevent the air charge from rushing out tothe drain during backwash, thereby preventing noise, rattling, flooding,and loss of filter media. During the air release cycle, the aerationcontrol valve 110 may also direct untreated water from the supply waterinlet passage 120 to the first tank passage 122 and directs treatedwater from the second tank passage 123 to the service water outletpassage 121. Thus, the air release may occur while the water treatmentsystem 100 is “in service” and treating water.

FIG. 2C illustrates a backwash cycle during which the water treatmentsystem 100 reverses the flow of water to clean or wash precipitates offthe filter media 117. During the backwash cycle in this embodiment, theaeration control valve 110 directs untreated water from the supply waterinlet passage 120 to the second tank passage 123 and directs the waterin the tank 114 from the first tank passage 122 to the drain passage125, thereby reversing the direction of flow through the tank 114. Thewater thus flows from the second tank passage 123, down the conduit 126,up through the filter media 117, and into the first tank passage 122.During the backwash cycle, the aeration control valve 110 may alsodirect a portion of the untreated water from the supply water inletpassage 120 to the service water outlet passage 121 such that water issupplied to the service water system during the backwash cycle.

FIG. 2D illustrates an air charge cycle during which the water treatmentsystem 100 charges the tank 114 with air. During the air charge cycle inthis embodiment, the aeration control valve 110 directs air suppliedthrough the air intake inlet 130 from the air passage 124 to the firsttank passage 122. In particular, the air valve 128 may be actuated toallow the air to be supplied into the first tank passage 122. The airmay be pumped through the air intake inlet 130 or drawn into the airintake inlet 130 by a venturi. By pumping the air into the watertreatment tank 114, the air charge may be accomplished without usingwater to draw air into the tank and thus without wasting water. Duringthe air charge cycle in this embodiment, the aeration control valve 110may also direct untreated water from the supply water inlet passage 120to the service water outlet passage 121 such that water is supplied tothe service water system during the air charge cycle. An air releasecycle followed by an air charge cycle may be performed periodically andwithout a backwash cycle, for example, at time intervals correspondingto when the oxidizing capacity of the air charge is consumed.

The operating cycles described above may be performed in differentsequences. In one embodiment, the water treatment system 100 perform anair release cycle (e.g., FIG. 2B) followed by an air charge cycle (e.g.,FIG. 2D) and may repeat this sequence multiple times without a backwashcycle. In another embodiment, the water treatment system 100 may performan air release cycle (e.g., FIG. 2B) followed by a backwash cycle (e.g.,FIG. 2C) and then an air charge cycle (e.g., FIG. 2D). The controller118 may be programmed to cause the aeration control valve 110 to performa certain sequence of operating cycles at desired times. Other sequencesand other operating cycles may also be performed by the aeration controlvalve 110.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, one embodiment of an aeration controlvalve 300 is described in detail. The aeration control valve 300includes a valve body 310 and a controller 318. The valve body 310 iscoupled to a tank 314 and defines a supply water inlet passage 320, aservice water outlet passage 321, first and second tank passages 322,323, an air passage 324 and a drain passage 325. According to thisembodiment, a valve actuator piston 319 moves within the valve body 310to provide a fluid connection between the passages 320-325. The aerationcontrol valve 300 is based on a Fleck 5600SXT control valve availablefrom Pentair, Inc., which was originally configured for connection to abrine tank. In this embodiment, the aeration control valve 300 isconfigured with the air passage 324 being used to supply and release airinstead of being connected to a brine tank, eliminating the need for aventuri. When an air pump is used, the air release check valve 336includes a high tension spring to assure a firm seal such that air ispumped into the air passage 324 but not through the air release checkvalve 336 to the air release outlet 332.

An air intake inlet 330 is fluidly coupled to the air passage 324, andan air release outlet 332 is fluidly coupled between the air passage 324and the drain 325. An air intake check valve 334 is coupled to the airintake inlet 330 and an air release check valve 336 is coupled to theair release outlet 332. In this embodiment, an internal air valve 328controls the release of air to the air passage 324 and the supply of airfrom the air passage 324. The internal air valve 328 may be the same asthe brine safety valve that previously was used to allow brine tank filland brine draw. This embodiment of the aeration control valve 300 alsoincludes a venturi 329 that draws air in through the air inlet 330 tothe air passage 324 when water flows through the venturi 329 (see FIG.3B). Alternatively, an atmospheric air pump (not shown) may be coupledto the air intake inlet 330 to pump air into the air passage 324.

During an air release cycle, shown in FIG. 3A, the air valve 328 isopened and the valve actuator piston 319 is located at a position thatallows air to be released from the tank 314. In this embodiment of theaeration control valve 300, which was originally configured forconnection to a brine tank, the air release position of the valveactuator piston 319 is the same as the brine tank fill position.

Releasing air through the venturi 329 provides additional advantages inthis embodiment. During an air charge cycle, directing water with ironthrough the venturi 329 to draw air may cause oxidation of the ironaround the venturi 329 and the flow path exiting the venturi 329 intothe tank 314. The oxidized iron may build up and clog the venturi andsurrounding areas, which may prevent the draw of air, reduces theoxidation that allows non-oxidized iron to pass through the filter bedand clog plumbing and stain clothes and fixtures. The release of air inthis embodiment of the aeration control valve 300 causes both air andwater to be released through the venturi 329 and into the air passage324, which results in flushing water and air in a turbulent fashion.This prevents and/or cleans iron build up in the venturi 329 and flowpath. During the air release cycle, the aeration control valve 300 mayalso direct untreated water from the supply water inlet passage 321 tothe first tank passage 322 and directs treated water from the secondtank passage 323 to the service water outlet passage 321. Thus, the airrelease may occur while the water treatment system 399 is “in service”and treating water.

During an air charge cycle, as shown in FIG. 3B, the air valve 328 isopened and the valve actuator piston 319 is located at a position thatallows air to be supplied from the air intake inlet 330 to the airpassage 324 and in to the first tank passage 322 and allows water toflow from the supply water inlet passage 320 to the service water outletpassage 321. In this embodiment of the aeration control valve 300configured for connection to a brine tank, the air charge position ofthe valve actuator piston 319 is the same as the brine/slow rinseposition.

During a service cycle (not shown), the air valve 328 is closed and thevalve actuator piston 319 is located at a position that blocks air fromflowing out of the tank 314, allows water to flow from the supply waterinlet passage 320 to the first tank passage 322, and allows water toflow from the second tank passage 323 to the service water outletpassage 321. During a backwash cycle (not shown), the air valve 328 isclosed and the valve actuator piston 319 is located at a position thatallows water to flow from the supply water inlet passage 320 into theservice water outlet passage 321 and into the second tank passage 323and allows water to flow from the first tank passage 322 to the drainpassage 325.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, another embodiment of an aeration controlvalve 400 is described in detail. The aeration control valve 400includes a valve body 410 and a controller 418. The valve body 410 iscoupled to a tank 414 and defines a supply water inlet passage 420, aservice water outlet passage 421, first and second tank passages 422,423, an air passage 424 and a drain passage 425. According to thisembodiment, a valve actuator piston 419 moves within the valve body 410to provide a fluid connection between the passages 420-425. The aerationcontrol valve 400 is based on a Fleck 1500 or Fleck 2510 control valveavailable from Pentair, Inc., which was originally configured forconnection to a brine tank. In this embodiment, the aeration controlvalve 400 is configured with the air passage 424 being used to supplyand release air instead of being connected to a brine tank.

An air intake inlet 430 is fluidly coupled to the air passage 424, andan air release outlet 432 is fluidly coupled between the air passage 424and the drain 425. An air intake check valve 434 is coupled to the airintake inlet 430. In this embodiment, an external air valve 428 in theair release outlet 432 controls the release of air to the air passage424 and an air check valve is not needed in the air release outlet 432.The external air valve 428, in this embodiment, is in the same locationwhere a brine safety valve would be located and is controlled by a cam429 that rotates to open and close the valve 428. This embodiment of theaeration control valve 400 also includes an air pump 431 that pumps airin through the air intake inlet 430 to the air passage 424 (see FIG.4B). Alternatively, a venturi (not shown) may be coupled to the airinlet 430, which draws air in through the air inlet 430 to the airpassage 424 when water flows through the venturi.

During an air release cycle, shown in FIG. 4A, the air valve 428 isopened and the valve actuator piston 419 is located at a position thatallows air to be released from the tank 414. In this embodiment of theaeration control valve 400, which was originally configured forconnection to a brine tank, the air release position of the valveactuator piston 419 is the same as the brine tank fill position. When aventuri is used, releasing the air together with water through theventuri prevents and/or cleans iron build up in the venturi and flowpath exiting the venturi, as described above. During the air releasecycle, the aeration control valve 400 may also direct untreated waterfrom the supply water inlet passage 420 to the first tank passage 422and directs treated water from the second tank passage 423 to theservice water outlet passage 421. Thus, the air release may occur whilethe water treatment system 400 is “in service” and treating water.

During an air charge cycle, as shown in FIG. 4B, the air valve 428 isclosed and the valve actuator piston 419 is located at a position thatallows air to be supplied from the air intake inlet 430 to the airpassage 424 and in to the first tank passage 422 and allows water toflow from the supply water inlet passage 420 to the service water outletpassage 421. In this embodiment of the aeration control valve 400configured for connection to a brine tank, the air charge position ofthe valve actuator piston 419 is the same as the brine position.

During a service cycle (not shown), the air valve 428 is closed and thevalve actuator piston 419 is located at a position that that allowswater to flow from the supply water inlet passage 420 to the first tankpassage 422, and allows water to flow from the second tank passage 423to the service water outlet passage 421. During a backwash cycle (notshown), the air valve 428 is closed and the valve actuator piston 419 islocated at a position that allows water to flow from the supply waterinlet passage 420 into the service water outlet passage 421 and into thesecond tank passage 423 and allows water to flow from the first tankpassage 422 to the drain passage 425.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, one embodiment of an aeration controlvalve 500 is described in detail. The aeration control valve 500includes a valve body 510 and a controller 518. The valve body 510 iscoupled to a tank 514 and defines a supply water inlet passage 520, aservice water outlet passage 521, first and second tank passages 522,523, an air passage 524 and a drain passage 525. According to thisembodiment, a valve actuator piston 519 moves within the valve body 510to provide a fluid connection between the passages 520-525. The aerationcontrol valve 500 is based on a Fleck ProFlowSXT or Fleck 5800SXTcontrol valve available from Pentair, Inc., which was originallyconfigured for connection to a brine tank. In this embodiment, theaeration control valve 500 is configured with the air passage 524 beingused to supply and release air instead of being connected to a brinetank.

An air intake inlet 530 is fluidly coupled to the air passage 524, andan air release outlet 532 is fluidly coupled between the air passage 524and the drain 525. An air intake check valve 534 is fluidly coupled tothe air intake inlet 530 and an air release check valve 536 is fluidlycoupled to the air release outlet 532. In this embodiment, an internalair valve 528 controls the release of air to the air passage 524 and thesupply of air from the air passage 524. The internal air valve 528 maybe the same as the brine safety valve that previously was used to allowbrine tank fill and brine draw. This embodiment of the aeration controlvalve 500 also includes a venturi 529 that draws air in through the airinlet 530 to the air passage 524 when water flows through the venturi529 (see FIG. 5B). Alternatively, an atmospheric air pump (not shown)may be coupled to the air intake inlet 530 to pump air into the airpassage 524. This embodiment of the aeration control valve 500 furtherincludes either a plug or a check valve 527 to prevent air fromtraveling to the service water outlet 521. When a venturi 529 is used tosupply air, a check valve may be used, and when a pump is used (notshown), a plug may be used.

During an air release cycle, shown in FIG. 5A, the air valve 528 isopened and the valve actuator piston 519 is located at a position thatallows air to be released from the tank 514. In this embodiment of theaeration control valve 500, which was originally configured forconnection to a brine tank, the air release position of the valveactuator piston 519 is the same as the brine tank fill position.Releasing the air together with water through the venturi 529 preventsand/or cleans iron build up in the venturi 529 and flow path exiting theventuri, as described above.

During an air charge cycle, as shown in FIG. 5B, the air valve 528 isopened and the valve actuator piston 519 is located at a position thatallows air to be supplied from the air intake inlet 530 to the airpassage 524 and in to the first tank passage 522 and allows water toflow from the supply water inlet passage 520 to the service water outletpassage 521. In this embodiment of the aeration control valve 500, whichwas originally configured for connection to a brine tank, the air chargeposition of the valve actuator piston 519 is the same as the brine/slowrinse position.

During a service cycle (not shown), the air valve 528 is closed and thevalve actuator piston 519 is located at a position that that blocks airfrom flowing out of the tank 514, allows water to flow from the supplywater inlet passage 520 to the first tank passage 522, and allows waterto flow from the second tank passage 523 to the service water outletpassage 521. During a backwash cycle (not shown), the air valve 528 isclosed and the valve actuator piston 519 is located at a position thatallows water to flow from the supply water inlet passage 520 into theservice water outlet passage 521 and into the second tank passage 523and allows water to flow from the first tank passage 522 to the drainpassage 525.

Accordingly, an aeration control valve, consistent with the embodimentsherein, may facilitate aeration in a water treatment system withoutrequiring a backwash cycle to release an air charge. The aerationcontrol valve also allows an air release to occur while the watertreatment system is “in service” and treating water.

Consistent with one embodiment, aeration control valve system isprovided for use with a water treatment tank. The aeration control valvesystem includes a supply water inlet passage configured to receive waterfrom a water supply, a service water outlet passage configured to directwater to a service water system and first and second tank passagesconfigured to direct water in to or out of the water treatment tank, anair passage fluidly coupled to the first tank passage and configured toallow air to pass to and from the first tank passage, and a drain outletpassage configured to direct water from the water treatment tank to adrain. The aeration control valve system also includes an air intakeinlet fluidly coupled to the air passage and configured to supply air tothe air passage and an air release outlet fluidly coupled between theair passage and the drain outlet passage and configured to release airto the drain outlet passage. A valve cycle actuator is configured toprovide fluid connections between the passages based on differentpositions of the valve cycle actuator during different operation cycles.An air valve configured to allow air to be released from and/or suppliedto the water treatment tank. An air intake check valve configured toallow air to be supplied through the air intake passage without allowingair to be released.

Consistent with another embodiment, a method is provided for operating awater treatment system including a control valve unit coupled to a watertreatment tank. The control valve unit is configured to be used with abrine tank, and wherein a brine passage in the control valve unit isfluidly coupled to an air intake inlet and an air release outlet insteadof a brine tank. The method includes: treating the water in the watertreatment system by directing water from a water supply to a watertreatment tank, passing the water through an air charge to aerate thewater, and directing treated water from the water treatment tank to aservice water system; supplying air to the water treatment tank throughthe air intake inlet and the brine passage when a valve cycle actuatorof the valve control unit is in a brine cycle position to provide theair charge; and releasing the air from the water treatment tank throughthe brine passage and the air release outlet when a valve cycle actuatorof the valve control unit is in a brine tank fill cycle position.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope ofthe present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a water treatment systemincluding a control valve unit coupled to a water treatment tank,wherein the control valve unit is configured to be used with a brinetank, and wherein a brine passage in the control valve unit is fluidlycoupled to an air intake inlet and an air release outlet instead of abrine tank, the method comprising: treating the water in the watertreatment system by directing water from a water supply to a watertreatment tank, passing the water through an air charge to aerate thewater, and directing treated water from the water treatment tank to aservice water system; supplying air to the water treatment tank throughthe air intake inlet and the brine passage when a valve cycle actuatorof the valve control unit is in a brine cycle position to provide theair charge; and releasing the air from the water treatment tank throughthe brine passage and the air release outlet when a valve cycle actuatorof the valve control unit is in a brine tank fill cycle position.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein air is released by actuating a valve.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising performing a backwash cycle at alater time after performing multiple cycles of releasing air andsupplying air.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the air is supplied bydrawing the air into the water treatment tank through a venturi.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein the air is released through the venturitogether with water.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the air issupplied by pumping air into the water treatment tank.
 7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the air release outlet is external to the valve cycleactuator.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the air release outlet isfluidly coupled to a drain outlet passage.
 9. The method of claim 1wherein supplying air to the water treatment tank through the air intakeinlet and the brine passage includes supplying air through an air intakecheck valve configured to allow air to be supplied without allowing airto be released.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising passing theaerated water through filter media in the water treatment tank to filterthe aerated water.